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Radio presenter announces he was sacked live on air

<p>KIIS FM radio presenter Mitch Churi has revealed that he has been sacked, sharing the information live on air. </p> <p>Churi shared the sad news during the latest episode of <em>The Pick Up</em>, which he hosts with Brittany Hockley and Laura Byrne, revealing to his listeners why he won't be back next year.</p> <p>"So late last week, I was informed by the powers that be... They have identified my roles and roles that won't be returning in 2025," he explained.</p> <p>"So I just want to say that it wasn't my decision. It wasn't my call. I really wanted to stay on this show with the two of you. And I wanted to stay on the night show and I wanted to stay at ARN and KIIS. And that I love working in radio," he said.</p> <p>Churi continued,"You know, I started on The Kyle and Jackie O Show when I was 19 and I was their barista. I was a kid who dreamt to have a show like this. And now I've got more time to dream of more dreams."</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DClRw2qR88Z/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DClRw2qR88Z/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by THE PICK UP (@thepickup)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Co host Laura Byrne confirmed the news, adding, "It's a decision that's been made that's out of our control. As you know, Britt and I, we have to continue on doing the show without you and we are utterly devastated."</p> <p>Brittany Hockley added, "You are not only our co-host, but also one of our best friends."</p> <p>Churi ended his announcement with a message to listeners, saying, "And I just want to end this by saying to the listeners who have listened to our show. When you first heard me, I was a kid. I was in the closet."</p> <p>"I was pimply. I was terrified. And I was so happy to be on air. And all those things still really are the same. I have loved every moment of it."</p> <p>ARN confirmed Chrui's departure in a statement which read: "As part of our review of network shows for 2025, Mitch Churi will be departing ARN, with his final day on KIIS being December 13. Mitch has been a cherished member of the ARN family, bringing his unique energy, humour, and talent to our network."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram </em></p> <p> </p>

Music

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KIIS FM star's stunning countryside wedding

<p>Woody Whitelaw is officially married! </p> <p>The co-host of KIIS FM's <em>Will & Woody </em>exchanged vows with his long-time love Mimi Gibbs in a stunning ceremony in Victoria over the weekend. </p> <p>"The Whitelaw’s 🤍"  captioned a series of highlights from their wedding posted to Instagram.</p> <p>The pair tied the knot at the at the picturesque Euroa Butter Factory in front of friends and family including their two-year-old daughter Remi, who walked down the aisle and greeted her dad with a big hug. </p> <p>Whitelaw's co-host Will McMahon fulfilled his groomsmen duties at the wedding, which took less than four months to plan. </p> <p>The bride looked stunning in a white floor-length gown that featured a side split, while the radio star kept it classic with a black tuxedo and bow tie. </p> <p>Gibbs then opted for a shorter off-shoulder mini dress for the reception. </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DB5ZxHSysrZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DB5ZxHSysrZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by MIMI • GIBBS (@mimgibbs)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Last week, KIIS FM made a <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DB0TnmDv-qQ/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">video tribute</a> to the couple in honour of their wedding, and Whitelaw could be seen getting emotional as the big day approached. </p> <p>“I feel like the luckiest person in the world getting to marry Mim because she is truly the most amazing person I’ve ever come into contact with,” he said in the video shared to Instagram. </p> <p>“She’s always putting others before herself. She’s just so much fun. At all times, she just makes any situation very silly and very childish. I just can’t believe I will be calling her my wife, and I get to spend the rest of my life with her.”</p> <p>Gibbs also appeared in the clip with a sweet message to her husband. </p> <p>“I love him so much and I just am so excited to spend the rest of my life with him and loving him for an eternity,” she said.</p> <p>The wedding comes two years after the radio host proposed to Gibbs in their backyard, surprising her with a diamond ring as she lounged on a sunbed. </p> <p><em>Images: Instagram/ </em><em>Mimo Weddings</em></p>

Relationships

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Jackie O celebrates 49th birthday

<p>Jackie O Henderson has big things planned for her 49th, as her co-workers surprised her with an extravagant custom birthday cake. </p> <p>Her KIISFM team surprised the radio star with balloons and a yacht-shaped cake, topped with a fondant character wearing a bikini that resembled her on Wednesday.</p> <p>Henderson also revealed that she had big things planned for her 49th, with a boat party scheduled for the weekend. </p> <p>"I just feel like every single year of my life I have ignored birthdays and never wanted to do a party," she said. </p> <p>"I just don't like doing it and I thought 'You know what? Why not! Like who cares how old you are or whether it's a milestone, I'm going to throw a big party on a boat.' So, it's the first time I've ever thrown a party for myself." </p> <p>Jackie O looked younger than ever in a figure-hugging shirt and low-waist jeans, which she complimented with a simple glam look.</p> <p>The radio host has been <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/body/delta-goodrem-raves-over-jackie-o-s-dramatic-weight-loss" target="_blank" rel="noopener">praised</a> for her dramatic weight loss after losing an impressive 18kg in recent months. </p> <p>She recently denied using Ozempic to achieve her slim figure and has insisted that she lost weight  by going on WW (Weight Watchers), which she was an official ambassador for.</p> <p><em><span style="color: #323338; font-family: Figtree, Roboto, 'Noto Sans Hebrew', 'Noto Kufi Arabic', 'Noto Sans JP', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;">Images: KIISFM/ Instagram</span></em></p>

Beauty & Style

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"Disparaging and insulting": Kyle Sandilands found in breach of decency rules

<p>The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) found that Kyle Sandilands breached the decency rules over the <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/kyle-sandilands-under-fire-for-hurtful-monkeypox-comments" target="_blank" rel="noopener">monkeypox comments</a> he made on-air in <em>The Kyle and Jackie O </em>show <span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">last year</span><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">. </span></p> <p>The ACMA found that he breached the Commercial Radio Code of Practice with "offensive, exclusionary comments explicitly aimed at the presumed conduct of gay men". </p> <p>"The ACMA found that the overall sentiment of the segment stereotyped gay men as irresponsible in regard to their sexual health," the media watchdog found. </p> <p>"This made them the prime carriers of a virus that presented a danger to the community and, as a result, they were not deserving of sympathy or compassion."</p> <p>Monkeypox was declared a global health emergency in July 2022. </p> <p>At the time, Sandilands called the virus "the big gay disease" and that "it’s only gays getting it." </p> <p>In defence of Sandilands' comments, the broadcaster told the ACMA the segment may have contained "unfavourable descriptions of those susceptible to the virus, being homosexual males".</p> <p>They also claimed that the segment was "well-intended" in terms of bringing awareness to the community about the public health risk around the transmission of the virus and the availability of a vaccine. </p> <p>They also said that there was an insufficient amount of content that demonstrated  "ill-will towards (the) LGBTQIA+ community."</p> <p>However, ACMA Chairperson Nerida O'Loughlin called the comments "derisive and insulting". </p> <p>"We acknowledge that the program's audience does not expect the presentation style of either the program or the presenter to always be formal and nuanced," O'Loughlin said. </p> <p>"Although there was a basis at the time for a public discussion about mpox that involved reference to gay sexuality, the segment went beyond any acceptable standards by conveying that gay men were irresponsible, were a risk to the community and did not deserve any sympathy even when presenting for medical assistance."</p> <p>"Broadcasters have a responsibility to maintain appropriate levels of decency, and in this case the comments by Sandilands were overly disparaging and insulting."</p> <p><em>KIIS</em> have agreed to deliver sensitivity training to the hosts, producers, censors and other staff. </p> <p>They must also report back to the ACMA on their progress every six months for  two years. </p> <p><em>Images: KIIS FM</em></p>

Legal

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Kyle and Jackie O “in talks” with rival network

<p dir="ltr">Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O have reportedly been talking with rival networks as their contract with <em>KIIS FM </em>and ARN comes to an end in 2024.</p> <p dir="ltr">The powerhouse radio duo’s old network Southern Cross Austereo, where they previously found success with their hit show on <em>2Day FM</em>, has reportedly been “pretty aggressive” in pursuing the pair, according to the <em>Australian Financial Review</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">A network insider has also revealed that for rival networks this process is “like sports rights for radio. It's very likely it'll end up being the biggest talent media deal ever.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Kyle and Jackie O have been unstoppable and have even made history for ARN, topping the latest radio ratings survey with a 17.9 per cent of the audience share.</p> <p dir="ltr">They have been the top breakfast show in Sydney for the third time running and averaged a whopping 921,000 listeners a week.</p> <p dir="ltr">ARN Media CEO &amp; Managing Director Ciaran Davis has told the <em>Daily Mail</em> about the value of the radio hosts: “We don't see contract negotiations as being an on-off exercise.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“Since Kyle and Jackie O have been with us, we have been working very hard to make sure they feel part of a bigger network, and that everybody contributes to that.”</p> <p dir="ltr">He then proceeded to praise the duo for being the best at what they do.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I don't think that it's a surprise to us that they have had the highest listenership they have ever had. Honestly, having worked in many countries in radio, I think they are the best in the world at what they do.”</p> <p dir="ltr">However, the SCA themselves have declined to provide a comment on these rumours.</p> <p><em>Images: KIIS FM/ Instagram</em></p>

Money & Banking

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Mandatory sensitivity training for Kyle Sandilands

<p> KIIS FM have been led to employ a second censor to monitor the talkshow and will provide sensitivity training to Kyle Sandilands after a breach in decency standards during a segment about the Paralympics.</p> <p>The ruling was given by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) regarding two episodes of the breakfast talkshow in September 2021.</p> <p>In one of the segments, the radio giant referred to the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics as “horrific” as well as dubbing it the “Special Olympics”.</p> <p>“Have you been watching the Special Olympics [sic], it is horrific some of the things,” Sandilands told his co-host Jackie ‘O’ Henderson.</p> <p>“Some poor bloke ran for the high jump and then veered right ’cause he was blind and landed on his a**e on the ground,” he continued.</p> <p>Sandilands claimed to respect “the spirit of the contest” on-air but added, “Listen, you can be nice to the handicapped, but you don’t have to compare them to the non-handicapped.”</p> <p>In its defence, KIIS FM highlighted that its audience was used to Kyle’s “low-level coarse language that is ordinarily reserved for private conversation”.</p> <p>“Mr Sandilands is well-known for his turn of phrase, colourful vernacular and blunt manner,” stated the defence.</p> <p>“The audience somewhat ‘self-selects’ so that those that choose to listen are not offended by this manner. Our expectation is that regular Kyle &amp; Jackie listeners would not have been offended by the Paralympics segment.”</p> <p>ACMA, however, found in its report that the segment would have been offensive to more than just the athletes but the broader community as well.</p> <p>“Mr Sandilands’ comments were insensitive and hurtful toward the athletes as well as being offensive to the average moderate person in the broader community, including the regular audience of the program, who would have been aware of the potential impact of these comments, not only on the Paralympians that were being described in this manner, but on the wider group of people in Australia with disabilities,” ACMA said.</p> <p>It also saw another breach when Sandilands threatened a <em>news.com.au</em> journalist over an article that criticised him, which led to him saying on air that said reporter should “expect a visit from me”.</p> <p>According to ACMA, the remarks “offended against generally accepted standards of decency”.</p> <p>KIIS FM will now be required to maintain two censors and sensitivity training will be provided to both hosts, producers and other relevant staff.</p> <p>It has also agreed to review its controls to prevent further breaches.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Getty</em></p>

Legal

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Jackie O survives "hectic" auction by dropping $13.25m on new home

<p>Jackie ‘O’ Henderson has dropped an eyewatering $13.25 million on a home in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.</p> <p>The radio star recently made the purchase at an auction and was congratulated by her team when she was back on-air.</p> <p>“I don’t know if you liked it, but how good that the paps were filming you,” the show’s newsreader said, referring to pictures taken of Jackie O at the auction that were published in several media outlets.</p> <p>“Actually, you know what? That was kind of good, to have that moment. You would never film yourself at an auction,” Jackie O said, calling the auction “hectic.”</p> <p>The KIIS FM co-host, who recently sold her Woollahra mansion for $13 million, purchased a fixer-upper with breathtaking ocean views in Clovelly.</p> <p>Jackie, 48, was seen at the auction with her daughter Kitty, according to The Daily Telegraph. She came out on top in a relentless bidding war against two others, winning the six bedder with gorgeous views of Gordons Bay.</p> <p>Photos in the publication showed her celebrating with her daughter and financial advisor, David O’Callaghan.</p> <p>The publication also shared artist’s impression of approved plans for a new building on the site.</p> <p>The reason for the move came from privacy concerns in Woollahra, with sources claiming the narrow street made it difficult for her to avoid paparazzi.</p> <p>She initially purchased it in June 2020 for $11 million after leaving her previous Vaucluse home that she shared with her ex-husband Lee Henderson, whom she divorced in 2018 after 18 years of marriage.</p> <p>Kylie Sandilands and Jackie re-signed a contract with ARN in 2019, guaranteeing the pair will remain on-air until the end of 2024.</p> <p>The deal means they get paid more than $39,000 each per show.</p> <p><em><a href="http://news.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">News.com.au</a></em> reported that the new contracts mean Kyle and Jackie receive $7-8 million each per year.</p> <p>The iconic pair told <em><a href="http://news.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">News.com.au</a></em> in November that retirement plans are not yet foreseeable.</p> <p>“The day I die,” Kylie said in reference to retirement.</p> <p>“We already know Jackie is going to stay on air crying and wearing black for the rest of her life. And then there’ll be 15 years of re-runs. Just like a Friends cast member.”</p> <p><em>Image credit: Instagram</em></p>

Real Estate

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I haven’t even got cousins coming”: Kyle Sandilands comical wedding guest rule

<p>Kyle Sandilands has revealed in a shocking statement that there will be “no ugly people” attending his wedding. </p> <p>Kyle and his fiancee, Tegan Kynaston, are set to tie the knot in a lavish ceremony on April 29 that is anticipated to be one of the most talked about events of the year.</p> <p>On Thursday, Kyle spoke to the Daily Mail Australia and revealed that not everyone has been included and that only a small number of friends and family will be in attendance.</p> <p>“I haven’t even got cousins coming, I’ve only invited 130 people,” he said.</p> <p>Despite giving away invitations to his wedding with ex-wife Tamara Jaber on-air, Kyle said there will be no chance of a free invite this time round.</p> <p>“It will be very close friends and family - the ones we don't like the look of didn't get an invite.”</p> <p>Kyle then went on to say he was adamant that the couple’s special day remained special, explaining “no ugly people” allowed.</p> <p>“There might be a couple of old fogies there, but that's it,” he joked.</p> <p>Sandilands also revealed the location for his and Kyanaston’s honeymoon. </p> <p>The couple will be travelling to the South of France accompanied by Kyle’s radio co-host Jackie O Henderson. </p> <p>“Unfortunately, I'm still gonna be working, so I'll be doing the radio show from the South of France as well,' he explained. </p> <p>“I'll get two weeks off from work, but I'll do one week of it and Jackie's gonna come.” </p> <p><em>Image credit: Getty</em></p>

TV

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Jackie O breaks down over divorce

<p>Image: Instagram</p> <p>Jackie ‘O’ Henderson has opened up about her divorce and life as a single woman, breaking down in tears after admitting she “yearns” to find a partner someday.</p> <p>Speaking on Jess Rowe’s podcast<span> </span><em>The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show</em>, the popular radio host said that while she’s learnt to be comfortable in her own company since splitting with her husband of 18 years, British photographer Lee Henderson, she misses having someone to share a meal with at the end of the day.</p> <p>The exes, who share a 10-year-old daughter named Kitty, split in 2018 with Jackie revealing she intends to wait until Kitty is a teenager until she looks for love again.</p> <p>At the end of the wide-ranging chat, Jackie broke down in tears as she talked about her longing to find someone when the time is right.</p> <p>“I’d just love to sit at the dinner table with someone and have dinner, that’s what I yearn for and that’s the thing I miss most about my old life,” she shared while beginning to cry.</p> <p>“It’s a funny thing what we miss. It can be the littlest things, you know and for me it’s having that family time at the dinner table, that used to be my favourite part of the day.”</p> <p>Following the split, Jackie shared she found herself revelling in her own company, having been in back-to-back long-term relationships since she was a teenager.</p> <p>Jackie says while she would like to meet someone new eventually, she is focused on her daughter and “bestie” Kitty, adding that she feels it’s important to show children a healthy relationship.</p> <p>“I’ve got a bit of time, I can wait. I’d rather the small little window before she’s off with her friends….i don’t want to complicate it with somebody coming into my life just yet,” Jackie said.</p> <p>Jackie and Henderson share custody of Kitty and remain good friends.</p>

Relationships

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Victorian radio duo under fire for “cruel” prank on unsuspecting NSW resident

<p dir="ltr">Victorian radio duo Will and Woody, who were looking to prank Sydneysiders enjoying ‘Freedom Day’ on Monday, came unstuck after their stunt backfired.</p> <p dir="ltr">The duo had posted on social media asking listeners to ‘dob in’ friends in NSW they wanted to prank on Monday, the first day of many COVID-19 restrictions easing in NSW. They explained, “On behalf of a Victorian we are going to stitch up someone in NSW who is enjoying their freedoms”.</p> <p dir="ltr">One such Victorian was Annaleigh, who was feeling “a bit salty” that her NSW-based best friend Mia had dinner plans that evening. She explained that like many other NSW residents, Mia had recently moved her second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine forward so she could take advantage of the eased restrictions on Monday.</p> <p dir="ltr">Woody then called an unsuspecting Mia, introducing himself as “Trent Summers from the NSW Health department” and warning that he was “unfortunately not calling with great news”. He informed Mia that a number of people during her booking window had been injected with saline solution instead of the vaccine, but kindly reassured her that it wasn’t harmful, “it just means that you potentially haven’t had the second vaccination”.</p> <p dir="ltr">He said the only way to confirm would be to perform a blood test, and then, after asking if she had plans that evening, proceeded to suggest she wear a “hazard suit, face shield and gloves” to dinner with her friends. To this, she responded, “Oh, really? Umm, I’d probably just rather not go out.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The host continued, saying, “You’d probably also have to bring your own drinks and food. And you’d probably have to sit by yourself.” At this point, all she managed was a, “Yep,” her voice breaking – at which point Woody revealed it was a “stitch up” and let Mia know her friend was on the line. “What the hell? I’m literally tearing up in the gym. My god,” Mia said. “I was thinking, ‘I’ll have to cancel everything!’ I hate needles! That was so mean.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Listeners were quick to share their thoughts on social media, with one describing it as “not funny at all” and wondering if it was “potentially an offence”.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/willandwoody?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@willandwoody</a> calling young woman - as a prank - impersonating <a href="https://twitter.com/NSWHealth?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NSWHealth</a>, telling woman that her second dose may have been saline, not vaxx, has to get a blood test, wear full PPE and stay away from other people when out in public. Pretty fucked up. She was distressed, crying.</p> — Shane Bazzi (@shanebazzi) <a href="https://twitter.com/shanebazzi/status/1447439206888837120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 11, 2021</a></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Another user pointed out that<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.tga.gov.au/media-release/impersonation-commonwealth-public-officials#:~:text=Impersonating%20Commonwealth%20public%20officials%20is,that%20may%20lead%20to%20prosecution" target="_blank">impersonating Commonwealth public officials</a><span> </span>was certainly an offence under the<span> </span><em>Criminal Code Act 1995</em>, Division 148. A Melbourne man was<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/courts-law/abdulfatah-awow-faces-extraordinarily-serious-allegations-for-posing-as-a-health-official-for-sex/news-story/5c28e4896baa68a06d8a05616df46f14" target="_blank">charged in August</a><span> </span>for impersonating a health worker and threatening her if she didn’t perform certain sex acts. Per the<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/act-2010-127#sec.115" target="_blank">NSW<span> </span><em>Public Health Act 2010</em></a><em>,<span> </span></em>it is an offence to impersonate an authorised officer, as well as under the<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="http://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/vic/consol_act/phawa2008222/s184.html" target="_blank"><em>Victorian Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008</em></a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Others<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://twitter.com/Aaron_OBrien9/status/1447472128702369795" target="_blank">tweeted</a><span> </span>that the stunt “wasn’t remotely funny”, and that there was a<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://twitter.com/Schmallky/status/1447507276223299589" target="_blank">time and a place</a><span> </span>for jokes, “and this ain’t it, Chief.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: KIIS FM</em></p>

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Kyle Sandilands rips into producer for anti-vax stance

<p><em>Image: Instagram </em></p> <p><span>Kyle Sandilands has outed his radio producer on-air for refusing the Covid-19 vaccination.</span></p> <p>During Monday morning’s Kyle and Jackie O Show, the 50-year-old shock jock asked why one of his producers, Pedro, wasn’t in the studio.</p> <p>“Where’s Pedro?” Kyle asked, with someone telling him, “He’s working from home.”</p> <p>Sandilands said, “Oh, because he’s still ‘I’m not vaccinated’. Stupid prick. What a bloody pain in the arse.”</p> <p>His brutal statement prompted his co-host, Jackie ‘O’ Henderson, to defend Pedro, saying, “You can’t say that!”</p> <p>But Kyle doubled down on Pedro the next day on air, declaring he wouldn’t attend his colleague’s funeral if he died from the virus.</p> <p>“He’s made his stance. What does he do now? Look like the fool?” he said. “Or he gets the virus. He’ll probably be the one that dies of it.</p> <p>“Will I show up to the funeral? No, I will not. Will I send a message? No, I will not.”</p> <p>Pedro lives in an LGA of concern in Sydney’s west and has been forced to work from home due to his decision to not get the jab.</p> <p>In late July, Pedro opened up on-air about his anti-vaccine views and being “into conspiracies.”</p> <p>Sandilands asked him if he was an “anti-vaxxer”, to which Pedro replied, “I am, but I won’t be discussing it.”</p> <p>The radio host has been a fierce advocate for getting vaccinated, even writing his own “vaccine anthem” in July, Get Vaxxed Baby, set to the music of Vanilla Ice’s<span> </span><em>Ice Ice Baby</em>.</p> <p>An ARN spokesperson released a statement saying the company understood vaccination was a “personal choice”.</p> <p>“ARN are keen to do our part in helping Australian businesses get back on their feet and for everyone to reconnect face-to-face in the community,” a spokesperson said.</p> <p>“Vaccination is the pathway to getting there. To make it easy for people to vaccinated, everyone at ARN can receive paid vaccination leave to ensure more flexibility when scheduling and attending their vaccination appointment.</p> <p>“While we understand vaccination is a personal choice, in line with NSW government health orders people who are from the LGAs of concern and are not vaccinated are required to work from home.”</p>

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